Is it just me or does Addai look better than ever? Just the way he's moving around on the field and how he's playing the game this season, it's like you can tell that he's not just healthy but also that this is his fourth year in the league.

This is a fun game to follow on GameCast/Radio feed. I really think the addition of Don Brown was huge for both RBs (and the aerial attack). It's also good that this team looks to have good youth, not just youth, in Garcon and Collie (and Brown).

Impressive win. Collie and Garcon look like great finds by BP. And they are still young players that could get better with time.

I wonder which one of them will be benched when Gonzo comes back. Gonzo is at his best as a slot WR, so I guess it'll probably be Collie.

Two things. Firstly, they will rotate it. The main players who will lose out in Gonzo's return will be Gijon Robinson and Jacob Tamme. I saw Tamme on the field for a decent number of plays (some at wide out) which will probably stop when Gonzo returns.

Secondly, Gonzo isn't better as a Slot Receiver. Gonzo is at his best as a Split End or a Flanker (the two traditional Wide Receiver positions). He played his best football lining up accross from Wayne. Last year when Wayne, Harrison and Gonzo played they lined up with Harrison as Flanker, Gonzo at Split End and Wayne at Slot. Reggie is naturally a Split End, and so Gonzo has been relegated to Flanker but he is definately not a natural Slot Receiver. If Gonzo, Wayne and Garcon are on the field at the same time then Wayne is in the slot, with Gonzo and Garcon playing Wide Out. If Gonzo, Wayne and Collie are on the field then it is Collie in the Slot. Gonzo won't play Slot.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Carlin

In Football the object is for the Field General to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the Defence by hitting his Receivers with deadly accuracy, in spite of the Blitz, even if he has to use the Shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack which punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy’s Defensive Line.

Gonzalez can play from the slot well, although I think he'll probably line-up on the outside more when he returns because that's what he and Peyton focused on all offseason. But Gonzo is like Reggie, he can line-up anywhere on the field and attack defenses.

The good thing is that, not only is it great having Garcon and Collie on the team, but they help allow Gonzalez ease back into the starting line-up after coming off a major knee injury.

This game doesn't have the feel that you'd probably normally get if the 4-0 Colts were playing an 0-4 team. The Titans are familiar with the Colts as division foes, and they still have Chris Johnson who is their offense. They're doing a good job of stopping the run without Haynesworth, even though his absence is the biggest reason for their defensive struggles imo.

One very fortunate thing for the Colts is that the Titans could be missing their three best cornerbacks for this game: Fuller is definitely out with a serious injury, Finnegan's hamstring kept him out last week, and Harper suffered a rib(s) injury against the Jaguars. I'm not going to lie or wish ill, but I hope all three miss this specific game on Sunday night as they recover. The Titans would start two rookie corners if so.

I wonder if we see the Titans rush four and drop back into zone a lot, to help their pass defense. That could help open some shorter things for the Colts, including the running game. I think the Colts offense is going really frustrate the Titans defense, especially with how hot Peyton and co. are right now.

Defensively, I think a similar approach to last week would be good - a strong DL rotation, including Freeney mainly on pass-rushing downs to make him most effective while limiting any stress on his quad. The Colts used a 4-4-3 look last year to bottle the Titans' running game, but the Colts are much better off at defensive tackle right now comparatively so Coyer likely won't do that this Sunday. But maybe Coyer does as he is developing some good stuff, including having Jordan Senn as a nickel backer it seems (I like it).

Last year in Tennessee, Collins made some really accurate passes that imo was what won the game for the Titans, hopefully he doesn't repeat that this year as he's characteristically not playing as well after a good season. Plus last year there were two or three potential turnovers that the Colts could have had but couldn't seal the deal, either the Johnson fumble wasn't recovered or the DB couldn't catch the Collins interception and so on.

The MNF game last year, in Week 7 or whenever it was, was a game the Colts could have definitely won even though Peyton was still coming back to health/form and the defense was struggling. This year's Colts are in better position to get the job done, conversely the Titans not playing as well.

I'm sure the fans will be fired up on primetime, but I think that too could differ from last year's game. (Even though the Titans are calling for a "Code Blue", yes even despite that.) If the Colts can develop an early lead, one wonders if that doesn't help serve to deflate the crowd and the Titans given the way their season has gone thus far.

Even if Bracket is back, Senn could play special teams really well. Chad did exactly squat as a return man so this is very puzzling move to me.

As for the Titans game, I expect to see a bunch of wacky plays and calls from Fisher on Sunday night. Remember the game when they kept kicking onside kicks and recovering them vs the Colts? Yeah, that's what I expect from what has to be a very desperate and disappointed Titans squad. Defensively, the Titans are in deep. Think Garco and Collie continue to improve this week and post up more great stats. The way our D-Line is playing, maybe as you point out Geo, we should dominate vs their pass offense.

Q: Another big defensive performance Sunday by the Colts. What's the difference between Miami, when the Colts allowed 239 yards rushing, and the last two weeks?

A: First of all, it's systemic. We controlled the run against Miami from conventional formations about as well as we've controlled it the last two weeks. What we did not control was the Wildcat and the ‘A’ formation. Those were based upon in Miami's version – which is very good – misdirection, the ability to confuse keys, the ability to make us stop and read rather than read on the run and play fast, which is how we play defense. Almost systemically, they took us out of what we wanted to do and what we're equipped to do. That didn't happen the last two weeks, and it didn't happen in Miami when they were in conventional formations, by and large. That's the short answer. That begs the question, 'Can Tennessee do it?' The answer is, 'Yes, they can.' Do we expect they will? The answer is, 'Yes, we do.' They could run it with (quarterback) Vince (Young). They could run it with (quarterback) Kerry (Collins). They could run it with any number of people. I could see them running it with Vince and both backs in the game. There are any number of ways they can do it. We'll have to wait until Sunday night to figure out which one it is, but I'm pretty sure we're going to see one version or another of it. Maybe all three.

I think Polian is right, the Colts could see a heavy dose of the Wildcat. Probably with Vince Young at QB, or at least I would to make it effective. It gives them their best chance to win, unless the Colts can defend it much better than they did against Miami.

As for the Senn/Simpson switch, I find it interesting too. Maybe they were worried who would handle the returns if Rushing were to get injured?

Wouldn't mind seeing Senn back, but I guess this bodes well for the recovering health of both Brackett and Session.

Peyton Manning passed for 353 yards in the Colts' 34-17 win over the Seahawks. It was Manning's fourth consecutive 300-yard game, an accomplishment that should not be overlooked. Consider the following:

- None of the top three in career passing yardage, Brett Favre, Dan Marino, or John Elway, ever recorded four straight 300-yard games.
- Fran Tarkenton, who ranks fifth in career yardage (one position higher than Manning), never even posted two straight 300-yard games.
- Manning's father, Archie, had back-to-back 300-yard games only once in his career and his brother, Eli, has never recorded two in a row.

Two things. Firstly, they will rotate it. The main players who will lose out in Gonzo's return will be Gijon Robinson and Jacob Tamme. I saw Tamme on the field for a decent number of plays (some at wide out) which will probably stop when Gonzo returns.

Secondly, Gonzo isn't better as a Slot Receiver. Gonzo is at his best as a Split End or a Flanker (the two traditional Wide Receiver positions). He played his best football lining up accross from Wayne. Last year when Wayne, Harrison and Gonzo played they lined up with Harrison as Flanker, Gonzo at Split End and Wayne at Slot. Reggie is naturally a Split End, and so Gonzo has been relegated to Flanker but he is definately not a natural Slot Receiver. If Gonzo, Wayne and Garcon are on the field at the same time then Wayne is in the slot, with Gonzo and Garcon playing Wide Out. If Gonzo, Wayne and Collie are on the field then it is Collie in the Slot. Gonzo won't play Slot.

First, Garcon is heck a lot better run blocker than Gonzo is, hands down, no argument there. Second, he is physical to fight off jams at the line of scrimmage much better.

The best thing about Gonzo is his shorter strides which allow him to get separation faster and that is better utilized in the slot than the outside. Garcon definitely has shown more long speed on the outside to me so far. Their 40 yard dashes are not dramatically different but Gonzo does not have the physicality to deal with physical DBs like an Al Harris or Charles Woodson or Quentin Jammer on the outside, Garcon is. Put Gonzo against any, I mean, any CB in the slot in the league, Gonzo will school them. No wonder he was schooling Cason in the Chargers playoff game before he got hurt and did not return after the half.

Besides, let us not forget that the Colts use their wideouts interchangeably. So I can see a combination of:

i) From left to right: Wayne, Gonzo, Clark and Garcon with Clark in the slot along with Gonzo (or) Wayne, Collie, Clark and Garcon with Clark in the slot along with Collie.

ii) Wayne, Collie, Gonzo, and Garcon when we have to go 4 WRs which we haven't done in the longest time since Clark started playing slot. That will come handy when we are behind 2 scores.

Besides, the Colts have used Wayne in the slot on screen passes, now Garcon and Clark have caught screen passes, pretty soon, I can see Gonzo catching screen passes. I think Gonzo would do great catching screen passes as I can see him generate more YAC than most of our wideouts. Do not forget we can also use Gonzo in crossing patterns where he starts at the slot where it is hard to double team him and then ends up in the corner of the field like those TDs he caught against the Pats and Chargers in the regular season games last year.

It looks very much like both Hayden and Jackson are going to miss this game. That's tough. The Colts will go into this game with four active corners being: rookie Jerraud Powers (to be fair is now a starter), First Down Jennings, rookie Jacob Lacey, and return man TJ Rushing. The Titans can't complain much about their corner situation.

Hmm, maybe that's why the Colts re-signed Simpson, because they'll let him return kickoffs so that Rushing won't possibly get injured and play some corner if necessary.

I really expect the Titans defense to rush only four and drop almost everyone back, like they usually do against the Colts. That's what they do, similar to the Colts, make you earn every yard and are hard to score TDs against.

Last week against the Jags, I'm sure their main defensive focus was on stopping Maurice Jones-Drew which probably opened up things for Garrard. It won't necessarily be the same for the Colts on Sunday night, we'll see.

Last year the two active RBs were Rhodes and Simpson, this is how they did:

Colts are in a lot better situation with Addai and Brown, plus Lilja back and a more experienced and improved Mike Pollak. Charlie Johnson hasn't practiced yet which is worrisome, but if misses the game then hopefully the Colts try and protect Dan Federkeil or Tony Ugoh at LT.

Maybe the Titans do a pretty good job of limiting Reggie Wayne, he hasn't scored a TD on the Titans since the first 2006 match-up in October, but it's hard to say for sure when there have been two meaningless December games the last two years so who knows what would have happened. But Finnegan already says he's definitely playing this week, I expect him to play.

I don't expect Nick Harper to play, and their nickel corner Fuller is out for a number of weeks anyways. If the safeties are so busy with playing deep Cover 2 and trying to help cover for the corners, how are they going to defend Dallas Clark and the slot receiver? This bodes well for the Colts imo.

Personally, I think I would line up Garcon out wide to the left in Reggie's spot, let him go one-on-one against Finnegan. Finnegan loves to play physical, wait until he gets 60 minutes' worth of Garcon: Pierre will frustrate him and get into his head like he did to Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie. And Reggie would be out wide to the right, Collie in either slot, and Clark lining up inline. All those guys would attack well at those spots. But that's just an idea I have.

Cornerback Nick Harper practiced Thursday wearing a protective flak jacket over his injured ribs, and pronounced himself ready to play Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m gonna go,” Harper said. “I’ve got a little compression of the ribs, but I’m good to go.”

Harper will start the game, but I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't finish it. Especially if Garcon can get some shots on him, or he's called to make some tackles, it could re-aggravate the injury. But maybe he'll be able to play with it.

Btw get this, later on in that same article:

Quote:

Practice squad addition

The Tennessee Titans signed running back Lance Ball to their practice squad after hosting four running backs for visits on Thursday.

Ball played college football at Maryland and spent time last season with the Indianapolis Colts.

“Last year I was there from like the seventh game until training camp this year,” Ball said.

Ball’s claim to fame in Indy came against the Titans in last year’s regular-season finale, as he had an 83-yard rushing game in the Colts’ 23-0 victory.

Unbelievable. Same old Titans.

Definitely expect some trick plays and also expect them to play dirty, as usual.

Maybe the Titans do a pretty good job of limiting Reggie Wayne, he hasn't scored a TD on the Titans since the first 2006 match-up in October, but it's hard to say for sure when there have been two meaningless December games the last two years so who knows what would have happened. But Finnegan already says he's definitely playing this week, I expect him to play.

I don't expect Nick Harper to play, and their nickel corner Fuller is out for a number of weeks anyways. If the safeties are so busy with playing deep Cover 2 and trying to help cover for the corners, how are they going to defend Dallas Clark and the slot receiver? This bodes well for the Colts imo.

Dallas Clark has caught TD passes in the last 3 games at Tennessee. Expect that to continue. The style of D the Titans play in the secondary when they have a good pass rush gives ample opportunity for TEs and slot wideouts to flourish and do a good job of limiting big plays to the outside wideouts. So, I expect Clark and Collie to have a good day. But if you cannot get to Manning, game over, no matter how good your secondary is. A stellar D-line can make an average secondary look good (2007 NY Giants) and a good secondary look stellar (2008 Titans).

If our pass protection holds up, it does not matter who plays. Plus, Collie and Garcon have that tenacity in their WR blocking that has been long desired in Colts wideouts, something I found missing in Harrison and in Gonzo, from what I have seen. It is our WR blocking that will allow us to run enough.

My biggest concern is 3rd down D with Jennings and Powers starting and Lacey being the nickel back. Being good on 1st & 2nd down does not seem to be enough, all opposition OCs have to game plan for is a hitch or smash route on 3rd & 7 against the WR that Jennings is covering. Kerry Collins is looking forward to picking on Jennings again.:) Hopefully Coyer blitzing throws things off for Kerry Collins, no wonder his record against the Ravens is not that good.

Definitely expect some trick plays and also expect them to play dirty, as usual.

I really don't think there will be many trick plays. In the past, yes, but the talent on the old Titans team wasn't even close to the Colts. Recently, Fisher hasn't been bringing a knife to a gun fight. So I don't think there will be many desperation or trick plays, unless it's an attempt to regain momentum or spark the crowd. But, knowing Fish, nothing's for certain.

*sigh* The Titans are kinda soft this season. It's kinda like Haynesworth was the source of their mojo (Yeah baby! /Austin Powers). Which means Dan Snyder is Dr. Evil.

Both teams are nursing injured secondaries and so this game could turn into a bit of a shoot out.

Pass Offense:

The Titans' secodnary is either going to be their backups or their injured starters (or a combination of both) which means that Peyton Manning should have a lot of fun against the Titans. The key problem the Colts could face will be the battle between Tony Ugoh and Kyle Vanden Bosch. Vanden Bosch is exactly the type of DE that Ugoh doesn't matchup well against (a strong, high motor type). This combined with the fact that the Titans have the best Safety partnership in the NFL could mean the Colts will struggle with the deep ball. Look for the underneath routes and screen passes rather than deep passes. Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Donald Brown could have big games against Tennessee, especially as the Colts could struggle with the run as well. With the run game underpar, the deep threat gone the Colts will need to get a lot out of the Titans patchwork Cornerbacks. Fantasy Football owners should look more to Dallas Clark than to Reggie Wayne in this one.

Run Offense:

The Tennessee Titans have only allowed 2.8 yards per attempt this season. Of the 4 teams they have played they have played 3 run first offenses. Expect the run game to struggle against Tennessee, especially if Addai isn't at 100%. The only saving grace could be if the Titans clue against the pass early on and the Running Backs take advantage of it. Other than that I can't see much from the Running Game.

Pass Defense:

Despite the news that Bob Sanders has suited for the game he will probably not play, leaving the Colts without 3 of the 4 starters from last season. With Hayden, Jackson and Sanders all out it means that the Secondary is very inexperienced. The team resigned Chad Simpson to handle Returns so that Rushing can concentrate on actually playing. This, combined with an improved Titans Receiving corp and a very good Offensive Line will cause the Colts a lot of problems. The team need the likes of Jennings and Lacey to step up their games and for the Pass Rush to cause Kerry Collins to make mistakes.

Run Defense:

The Colts Run Defense was much improved against Arizona and Seattle but now faces a real test in Tennessee. The Titans have the 2nd best run per attempt average in the league and a Running Back who can turn any play into a Touchdown. The Run Defense needs to keep play the way it has the last two weeks because I don't know whether the Titans defense will be as kind as Miami's was.

Special Teams:

This game is closer than the two records will lead you to believe and it could come down to Field Goals and good field position to decide it. The Colts have really need Vinatieri this season but Pat McAfee has shown good moments. The team need Chad Simpson to show that he deserves a spot on the team.

Prediction: Colts - 31 vs Titans - 27

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Carlin

In Football the object is for the Field General to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the Defence by hitting his Receivers with deadly accuracy, in spite of the Blitz, even if he has to use the Shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack which punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy’s Defensive Line.